Mouillage

Île Molène

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Shelter: W, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage off Île Molène in the Molène archipelago, west of Le Conquet in the Iroise Sea.

Mooring buoys
Visitor buoys
Pontoon

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach through the Chenal de la Helle or Chenal du Four, both with tidal streams up to 6 knots at springs. The anchorage lies in the pass between Molène and Quéménès, where the commune lays roughly 10 to 20 visitor buoys in summer, sometimes not before late June. Shelter from W, SW, S and SE; it rolls heavily once the wind backs into the NE or E. The innermost buoys carry only about 2.5 m at low water on big springs, so deep-draught boats should watch the coefficient.

Practical

Weed bottom, so the buoys hold better than the anchor. The buoys cost 15 to 20 euros a night; pay at the bar and bring cash, as the harbour master with the card reader only comes round in the morning. Showers at the mairie next to the museum. No fuel on the island. Water tank, bakery and the Proxi grocery in the village, 300 m from the slipway.

Ashore

Village of around 140 year-round residents. Sémaphore and Musée du Drummond Castle recalling the 1896 wreck. Walking loop around the island of about 4 km along the foreshore and low stone walls. The small bar-restaurant by the dinghy pontoon serves the local seaweed-smoked Molène sausage, lobster and the fish of the day.

History

Île Molène sits inside the Parc naturel marin d'Iroise, created in 2007, the first marine park in French metropolitan waters. The islanders took part in the rescue of the Drummond Castle survivors in June 1896.